Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Alice's Adventures in the Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! I'm always glad to see you here, and please know newcomers are always welcome to join the party. Answer the questions on your own blog, then hop back and link up with all your friends and neighbors. Be sure to add a link to this post on your blog so people reading know how to play along too. The code for the Hodgepodge button is on my sidebar.

Now for my answers, which are not short this week.
Any week actually, but this one especially.


1. It's been said that one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day?  Do you think that's true? Do you find that an easy exercise most mornings? What's something positive you told yourself this morning? If you missed that boat, what's something positive you could tell yourself tomorrow?

Positive is pretty much my modus operandi, so I find it fairly easy to think happy at the start of a new day. Chalk it up to years spent at summer camp, but quite often my first thought in the morning is, 'This is the day that the Lord has made...I will rejoice and be glad in it.'  I sing it, but only to myself. See #2. 

2. There will be karaoke at the next party you attend...are you in? Or will you be faking a sore throat?

I can take it or leave it.  I like it with the right crowd, which would typically be my family since they are all well acquainted with my less than stellar singing voice. Remember Cameron Diaz's performance in the karaoke bar in My Best Friend's Wedding? I'm almost that good. I wouldn't fake a sore throat, but I wouldn't perform solo. Nor would you ask me too-ha!

3. January 29th is National Puzzle Day...what's something you've found puzzling lately?

Hmmm...people dressed in shorts in sub zero temperatures. 

4. Jigsaw, crossword, acrostic, logic, sudoku, word search...what's your favorite, and when did you last work one?

I like them all, but crosswords are my favorite. I try to work a crossword puzzle every day. I'm over 50 40, and every little bit of brain power I can accumulate helps.  

5. Recently a writer by the name of Amy Glass ruffled feathers with a post she wrote saying she looks down on young women with husbands and kids and she's not sorry. Among other things she says women will be equal with men when we stop saying housework and real work are equally important.  You can read the whole piece by clicking here.

What say you? Do you think men and women are equal in the 21st century? Why or why not?

What say me? I say Amy Glass wanted some traffic on her site and her wish came true. Not sure if this is truly the way she feels, or if it was put out there because she knew it would generate controversy and buzz, and most of all traffic aka revenue. Either way, I'm not gonna get all riled up about something a self-described feminist blogger says, other than to say this-It is the year two thousand and fourteen. Why do women continue to beat each other up about the way we choose to work and parent?  
Are men and women equal? No. Thank goodness!

Here's the thing...there is no way in the universe to accurately capture in words the dizzying heights and terrifying depths into which you are plunged when you become a parent. I've worked off and on during my adult life, but primarily I've been a mother and homemaker. I feel zero need to explain, apologize for, or justify that role.  
My husband has always worked, and worked hard, yet I bet if you asked him he would likely say his role as parent is on a mental and emotional plane unlike anything he experiences at work.  I don't think you can compare parenting and 'real work'.  Like apples and bicycles...the comparison just isn't there. 

I read something a while back that Glennon, who blogs at Momastery, wrote in a post on criticism vs. cruelty, and it was this, 'If you're not kind on the internet you're not kind.'

Let's all be kind, k? You too Ms. Glass. 

6. What's a product you've noticed in the grocery store that you'd like to try, but haven't yet?

Some friends mentioned the Campbells Slow Cooker Sauces, and said the Sweet Korean Barbecue was really good. I tend to stay away from packaged stuff, but might give this one a try. 

7. The author, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) was born this week back in 1832 (January 27th). Which character from his celebrated novel, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, would you most like to meet, and why? Here's a link to the character list if you need help on this one.

Before I answer I'm going to indulge in some Alice related trivia...


When Daughter2 turned 6 years old she had an Alice in Wonderland themed birthday party. I found adorable straw bags at The Disney Store with the Cheshire Cat on front, and we used those as goodie bags. The girls painted tea cups, played croquet and dined on petit fours eaten on fine china. 


When Daughter2 was 13 years old I snapped her picture outside of Alice's Shoppe in Oxford. Once upon a time, Charles Dodgson was a math tutor at Oxford, and we spent a lot of time in that fair city since hubs also worked there. 


Not at Christ Church College, but in an office complex on the outskirts of town. 
Close enough. 

 photo courtesy of our friend Nigel, 2009

If you ever visit the UK,  put Oxford on your list. 

What was the question again?  Who would I most want to meet...Charles Dodgson! Wait, the question asked for a character so I'm going with Alice, a girl with unending curiosity about the world.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

For those of you who might be interested, the A-Z Blog Challenge registration is up and running.  Go here to add your name to the list. 


A few things about the A-Z-

In case you don't know, the A-Z is a blog challenge started by a wonderful blogger named Arlee Bird. He blogs over at Tossing It Out, and on Sundays at  A Few Words which I especially like. Hop over and say hello.  

The challenge has grown and expanded and morphed into something big, with well over 1000 bloggers participating now.  The way it works is this...you blog every day (Monday-Saturday) for the month of April. Sundays are a day of rest. That means there are 26 days of posting, and conveniently there are also 26 letters in the alphabet. So....a letter a day, in alphabetical order, beginning with A on April 1, B on April 2nd, etc. I like to put the letters on my calendar to help me stay on track. 

You don't need to have a theme to your posts, but I personally wouldn't participate without one. I like to think I excel at random, but I still need a theme to work with when I'm posting six days a week for a solid month.  If you're able, it also helps to get a head start on writing the first few posts and scheduling them to auto publish. I try to work at least two or three letters ahead, so if something unexpected comes up I won't crack under pressure. 

Actually there's no pressure. 

Well, there's a little pressure.

If you decide to participate let me know, so I can be sure and follow along. 

Go Broncos!





29 comments:

  1. I love crosswords too! I've learned so much from them over the years. I have been doing crosswords for about 13 years now.

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  2. My husband's grandmother used to greet each day with singing, "Just let the sun shine in, and greet it with a grin. Open up your heart and let the sunshine in." Of course, the hubby found it annoying when she would wake him up early singing this full blast...when he stayed with them during the summers so he could work for his grandfather. Still, it is an endearing memory. She was full of joy, and so was her singing.

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  3. I saw a boy yesterday walking to school in shorts. I was inclined to turn my car around and offer him a ride. I was very puzzled! Enjoy the rest of your week!

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  4. When I took my writing class they also suggested using the alphabet to write a short story. Not sure I want to blog the alphabet. Love your Alice history.

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  5. I loved reading this post this week!! In fact, in my opinion, the more wordy the better time of getting to know your thoughts!! Loved the Alice theme birthday party idea too.

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  6. Try the slow cooker sauce and then tell us how you liked it. I'm a little hesitant to try prepackaged sauces since I tried a few that we then had to force ourselves to eat in order to not waste them.

    Thanks for mentioning the A-Z challenge. I think I'll join this year.

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  7. Have been thinking to participate in the A-Z challenge, but always afraid I would forget to blog on that day. Go Broncos!

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  8. Joyce, we again have some similar answers. At this point I should not be surprised! Thanks for keeping the Hodgepodge going…and stay warm and safe up there in Sparta! (Go Seahawks!)

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  9. I loved the A-Z Challenge last year. Haven't decided yet if I'll participate this year. I need to figure out a topic if I do.

    I agree with your answer on parenthood.

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  10. I find it puzzling to see people wearing shorts (and flip flops) during cold weather, too! What's up with that?

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  11. I like your take on question #5. It never occurred to me that we might have been manipulated into giving this author more attention than she's worth. I think that we agree on the karaoke thing. I hope all is well with you and Hubs. Thanks for your continued prayers.

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  12. That is a great way to start the day! I read your post the other day and it made me crave homemade chicken soup. Yesterday I was feeling run down, like I'm fighting getting sick, so chicken soup is in order today :) You're right it is one of the best smells, especially on a cold, snowy day.

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  13. Yeah, but everyone loved Cameron Diaz... that's me... all about attitude :)

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  14. Awesome photos!! Loving your Hodgpodge. Blessings

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  15. The slow cooker sauce intrigues me! I might look for that...Go Seahawks!

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  16. Go Broncos! :) I completely forgot to answer #6! I couldn't think of anything when I wrote the post, and forgot to go back!
    I had a good time with the A to Z Challenge last year; I was a bit panicked because I thought it happened in February! good to know I have a couple more months to think of what I'm going to do!

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  17. Joyce...I've tried one of those Campbell's Slow Cooker Sauces (can't recall which one now) and it was SO good! We all love it! You can't go wrong with cooking in a crock pot, as far as I'm concerned! The last picture you posted of the church and the sky...wow! Looks just like an oil painting!

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  18. My Best Friends Wedding....one of my favorite movies. She did a great job at being bad. You can't possibly be that bad. Always enjoy your photos from the UK.

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  19. I think I've got my theme figured out so going to try the challenge again. I'm definitely going to have to prepare lots in advance if I stick with this theme because it will be intensive.

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  20. We've tried one of the slow cooker sauces and it was the seaseme chicken. Don't waste your time.

    I don't have time to link up this week, but I enjoyed reading your answers! Stay warm!

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  21. You have a very cute little Alice there!
    Oh, that Ms. Glass, I hope she speaks only for herself or that is a sad commentery on our world! Back packing across Asia, sheesh!

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  22. A good Hodgepodge, Joyce...but aren't they all!! The A to Z sounds interesting. Will think about it. I blog every day, anyway....

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  23. I did see those slow cooker sauces but they seem to have a LOT of salt. I'm not a big fan of salt. Let me know how it went.

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  24. You are good at keeping this going every week. I don't always care much for the questions but the list today has some great ones.
    "dizzying heights and terrifying depths into which you are plunged when you become a parent" - so very true and it applies to both parents. Actually one of the toughest situations is a single parent.
    Karaoke - fun years I even got a machine for my birthday. Recently dragged it out for the grandkids.
    Thanks for the list of Alice in Wonderland characters. I didn't know there was one named Bill.

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  25. I agree why can't we all just be kind!! I haven't tried the sauces either let us know! Have a wonderful Wednesday! Stay warm and yes go Broncos!

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  26. I saw a guy in shorts yesterday with high socks to make up for the legs of the pants. Hilarious. So why wear shorts at all? People are funny.

    Thanks for hosting :)

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  27. Love that... let's all be kind, K? ;)
    I might give the A-Z a shot again... loosely of course. ;)

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  28. Re: #5 I did wonder, briefly, if that wasn't a publicity stunt. But I know a few diehard feminists who probably feel just as strongly.

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  29. I like your answer to Amy Glass's post. I was wondering the same thing when I read it, whether she was just looking for attention. I like the idea of the A-Z thing but I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to stick with it or come up with an idea. I'm going to check it out a little more. I look forward to seeing your posts! Thanks, as always, for hosting the Hodgepodge.

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